The Magnificent BMW Art Cars – The 90’s and Beyond

We have already discussed the beginning of the Magnificent BMW Art Cars project here and in the second part regarding how these Magnificent BMW Art Cars grew in their global appeal in the 80’s and the early 90’s here. By the time the last decade of the previous millennium arrived, BMW and its BMW Art Cars projects had garnered huge curiosity and love from the automotive world, however, BMW had no plans of stopping, instead the projects became grander and more sought after as the time went by. So much so that, since 1990 to 2010, BMW had created as many as 12 Magnificent BMW Art Cars, out of the total 18 cars till date. Here we discuss the last seven cars on the list of Magnificent BMW Art Cars projects.

1. 1991 BMW 535i Art Car by Esther Mahlangu –

The first ever African BMW Art Car was designed by Esther Mahlangu, who was also the first female to have designed BMW Art Cars project. Born in 1935, Mahlangu is among a very few South African artist who showcased their art on a global level in the times of Political turmoil and international sanctions in the region and is among few of the most remarkable female artists of her era. To create her own interpretation of a BMW Art Cars project, Mahlangu decided to use her art that has evolved from h handed down art from her tribe’s tradition of decorating homes. It took her only a week to create this stunning art car that is a masterpiece of African Ndebele art.

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2. 1992 BMW 3 Series Race Car Art Car by Sandro Chia –

The next car from the collection of BMW Art Cars project came from the efforts of Italian painter and sculptor, Sandro Chia. As per Chia, the classic surface of the BMW 3 Series racing touring car shouted out “Paint me, paint me” to him when he first met the now iconic car. Chia humbly followed the cars desires and painted the entire surface of the car with faces and vivid colours. What Chia wanted to reflect on his art car design was the fact that cars are sought after possession in the society and all eyes are set upon them as people look closely at cars and his BMW Art Cars project reflects their gaze back.

3. 1995 BMW 850CSI Art Car by David Hockney –

It was the English artist, based in Los Angeles, David Hockney, who is considered to be among the most influential artists of the twentieth century, who was destined to create the next BMW Art Cars project. Hockney admitted to having kept gazing at the car for a long time when he was first introduced to it and that he also had a look at the other BMW Art Cars project. Finally, he decided to illustrate the inside of the car to the world and after a research of months, he created a BMW Art Cars creation that had the Stylized intake manifolds of the engine painted on the cars bonnet while the silhouette of the driver was designed for the cars door. Hockney also gave his BMW Art Cars creation excerpts of an abstract landscape that as per him, were supposed to showcase the experience of passing landscapes when you travel in a car. He referred the usage of green colour for the same reason on his BMW Art Cars creation.

4. 1999 BMW V12 LMR Art Car by Jenny Holzer –

Jenny Holzer became the second female artist to have ever designed a BMW Art Cars project and for her creation, this famous MAerican concept artist painted the BMW V12 LMR with beautiful messages that according to her would never lose their importance. For the text, Holzer used a magic light effect that was created by using chrome letters made of reflecting metal foils which were outlined by phosphorescent colour nd her whole concept revolved around the features, colours and graphics of the racing car design. The car contains messages such as “Protect me from what I want” and “You are so complex you don’t respond to danger” demonstrate Holzer’s word art in a whole new meaning, that completes this stunning base car and takes the BMW Art Cars project to where it all started, Le Mans.

5. BMW H2R Art Car Concept by Olafur Eliasson –

The next BMW Art Cars project came into being in 2007 when Olafur Eliasson, a Danish artist who is widely considered to be among the most significant artists of his generation and is known to combine art, science, and natural phenomena to create multisensory experiences that engage the viewer as an active participant. This is exactly what he did with his BMW Art Cars creation, which was based on a BMW H2R race car which was a hydrogen-powered vehicle developed to create speed records while still pursuing a sustainable future. Eliasson transformed this technological masterpiece into an artistic emotion of the relationship between global warming and the automotive industry. To express his understanding of the world around him and of the principle behind the BMW Art Cars projects, Eliasson replaced the H2R’s outer shell with a complex, translucent skin made of steel mesh, reflective steel panels, and many layers of ice and described it as movement has consequences for self-perception.

6. 2009 BMW Z4 Art Car by Robin Rhode –

The next BMW Art Cars creation was based on the 2009 BMW Z4 and was created by the South-African artist, Robin Rhode who took the BMW Art Cars project to a whole new level by imagining a painter’s canvas which is as large as a football field that contains swirling shapes in red, yellow and blue. These random abstract forms reveal a bigger detail that says that these have been created by the tires of the magnificent BMW Z4. Rhode’s creation is magnanimous in sheer size and immaculately designed, and even for an artist known to painstakingly plan path-breaking works of art and his ability to direct a large technical staff, this “An Expression of Joy” work of art broke new ground.

7. 2010 BMW M3 GT Art Car by Jeff Koons –

The most recent of the BMW Art Cars project, this stunning work of art was created by Jeff Koons. For his creation Koons, collected images of race cars, related graphics, vibrant colors, speed and explosions and all this resulted in an artwork of bright colors that is evocative of power, motion and bursting energy. This BMW Art Cars silver interior along with its powerful exterior design imparts the car with a dynamic appearance even when it’s standing still.So here they are the legendary BMW Art Cars projects that started way back in 1975 and will continue for a long time to come. DO let us know, which is your favorite among these BMW Art Cars and why in the comment section below.

A Traveler, Scribbler, Engineer who loves Cars and Motorcycles. Gifted in dimensions and the art of wit, Sunny writes & talks about his passion for the world of automobiles and dreams of sharing a track day with Casey Stoner someday. He can also be found using sarcasm & rare (unappreciated, but great) humor in bucket loads.